How to deal with the hosepipe ban?

[Nodz]

Most places have only had the drought classification lifted but the hosepipe ban is still in force

[Frenzy]

Took advantage of the break in the constant rain to wash the car. Of course being under Thames water jurisdiction i couldn't use a hosepipe so proceeded to legally use about 3 times the amount of water i ordinarily would use because i had to use a bucket to rinse every 2 seconds...   The law is an ass that i could have faced a £1k fine for using less water  

Whilst washing i noticed that the drivers side front headlight has popped out of its seating slightly on the bottom left corner as you look at it, i can't for the life in me fathom how it has happened as there are no scratches or scuffs anywhere near that region and there are no marks on the headlight itself..? Anyone else ever had this happen?

I took a quick look to see if i could reseat it but from what i can tell you have to take off a good deal of the front of the car in order to get at the lights - is this so and if so is it easy enough to do, i have the correct torx screwdrivers.

Thanks

[RedRobin]

Rinse the car down at the local jet wash? They don't appear to be affected by the ban

....I always use the local jet wash just to pressure hose water before going home to handwash. Gets some of the stuff off to start with and especially as my hose at home doesn't deliver so much high pressure.

How do you rinse afterwards Robin - is it a trip back down there?

....I rinse using my garden hose - It works well enough to rinse. No hosepipe bans down here anyway.

[beetie]

Also, I heard the ban has been lifted in certain parts(?).

I've no idea whether it affects me in the East midlands - is there a conclusive list of the areas that have had the ban lifted after the recent downpours?
Ta.

If you're severn Trent, like I am, then you are ok. They have never brought a ban in this year.

[Ashley g]

I'm not risking a grand fine, so just bought one of these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140731829200?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1952.l2649

[ianv5]

Plug my hose into my waterbut and connect to jetwash, job done

[rdfcpete]

I'm not risking a grand fine, so just bought one of these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140731829200?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1952.l2649

Those are much cheaper than I thought Ashley! Pretty cool.

Does it have enough pressure in it to attack the skirts, sills and arches in reality?
Ta 

[Frenzy]

^^^ just picking up on the fact you use the word 'attack' maybe you don't actually mean that but just in case...

You don't really want to go at dirt on a vehicle too hard with a blasting jet of water, all you'll end up doing is embedding fine pieces of grit and metal into your paintwork.

If you do use a pressure washer make sure you are angling the jet at the bodywork rather than aiming it in a direct manner / face on.

[RedRobin]

^^^^
That's a good tip, Frenzy 

[rdfcpete]

^^^ just picking up on the fact you use the word 'attack' maybe you don't actually mean that but just in case...

You don't really want to go at dirt on a vehicle too hard with a blasting jet of water, all you'll end up doing is embedding fine pieces of grit and metal into your paintwork.

If you do use a pressure washer make sure you are angling the jet at the bodywork rather than aiming it in a direct manner / face on.

Nope, purely aggravation so it's loose and comes off nicely 

For £8 I wondered if it was going to be more like a tap flow rather than with some power like a normal hose pipe nozzle.

[Horatio]

Exploring a few solotions for using water butts and a power washer.... has anyone got one of these? http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Hose_Water_Filter.html

[Horatio]

Exploring a few solotions for using water butts and a power washer.... has anyone got one of these? http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Hose_Water_Filter.html

Scrap that, just tried my dads Karcher with a bucket and hose and works perfect...all of 40 seconds 

[Jussa]

Exploring a few solotions for using water butts and a power washer.... has anyone got one of these? http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Hose_Water_Filter.html

Scrap that, just tried my dads Karcher with a bucket and hose and works perfect...all of 40 seconds 

What do u mean you just had a bucket and hose and it worked 

I just bought a Karcher and intend installing a water butt to use it - not sure of what connections etc. I need to buy to get it to work?? 

[ianv5]

I use my karcher and a standard female hose attachment plugs int the tap on the butt no probs!

Also use a 25litre container/bucket with a small piece of hose connected to the Karcher and open hose end submerged in the bucket/container, works exacly the same as connected to the mains.

Also the benefit is that it is rain water and it does not leave any marks on the car when drying

[Horatio]

I use my karcher and a standard female hose attachment plugs int the tap on the butt no probs!

Also use a 25litre container/bucket with a small piece of hose connected to the Karcher and open hose end submerged in the bucket/container, works exacly the same as connected to the mains.

Also the benefit is that it is rain water and it does not leave any marks on the car when drying

Yup what he said ^ Hose from bucket to Karcher. My pa's got a K3.8, the one with a soap dispensor. The ad's ive seen for karcher recently have quoted all karchers draw water from water butts. I would be a bit wary of using rain water straight from the butt. Unless youve got a filter, you could be spraying tiny bits of grit at your car and not realising it. Not sure if karchers have built in filters. I would gues not.

HTH